Improvement in hemp-harvesters



UNITED STATES THOS. BERRY, OF LEWISBUBG, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEMENT IN HEM P-HARVESTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 20,618, dated June 22, 1858.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS BERRY, of Lewisburg, in the county of Mason and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful lmprovementinHemp-Gutters; and Ido hereofa hemp-cutter constructed with my improvement.

My invention consists, first, in the combination and arrangement, in the manner hereinafter specified, of the adjustable front supporting-wheel, obliquely set slotted guideplate, and adjusting-lever, whereby the cutterbar can be very conveniently and quickly adjusted, as may be necessary.

My invention consists, second, in arranging the reel and the gearing which drives it on ajointed frame which is pivoted tothe main frame and connected to an adj listing-lever, as presently described, whereby the reel can be conveniently and quickly adjusted to suit different heights of hemp.

My invention consists, third,in the combination of transverse bundling-bars, one stationary and the other pivoted, so as to vibrate up and down with the main propelling-axle,

by means of a pin on the axle, a pivotedlever,

a spring rocking arm, and connecting-link, as presently described, whereby the hemp can be bundled, the bundles automatically discharged at intervals, and the bundler automatically adjusts itself as soon as the discharge is accomplished.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

A represents the frame of the machine, mounted upon two propelling-wheels, B B, and a small supporting-wheel, O, which are disposed as shown. The standard of the wheel (3,-it will be seen, is attached toa flanged sliding block, b, which is fitted to slide freely in an oblong slot, 0, formed in an inclined guideplate, 1), said plate projecting upward and outward longitudinally from one of the front corners of the frame in a line quite oblique to a horizontal plane.

E is'a curved forked rod for connecting the sliding block b with an adjusting-lever, F,

which is situated in the outer side of the drivers seat G, as shown. \Vith this arrangement it will be evident that by moving the lever in the direction of the arrow the sliding block b will be caused to ascend the inclined plane E by means of the slot 0, and to move the wheel some distance forward of the cutter-bar, and thus allow the cutter-bar, or front end of the frame on which itis arranged, to descend, and by moving the lever in an opposite direction the front end of the frame will be caused to rise by reason of the wheel 0 being brought nearer to or directly under the same.

H is' the reel. It is arranged on the forward end of two curved longitudinal bars of ajointed frame, I I J J J J, which is pivoted at (1 cl d d to the frame A, as shown. The frame I J is jointed at c e e c and pivoted at d d d 01, so as to allow the reel H to be thrown up or down to suit different heights of hemp, as occasion may require.

J is a lever for depressing or elevating the rear end of the frame I J, and thereby elfecting the adjustment of the reel. This lever is situated on the inner side-of the drivers seat and connected to the rear end of the reel-frame by means of a pivoted rod, K.

L is a band leading from a pulley, e, on the reel-shaft'to a double-grooved pulley, f, on the jointed frame; and M is a band leading from the-pulleyfto a pulley, g, on the propellingshaft B, as shown. WVith this arrangement the reel can be driven from the propellingshaft,and greatfacilitiesfor adjustingit higher or lower from the drivers seat are afforded.

N N is the bundle-r and discharger. It is arranged across the frame a little in rear of the reel, the rod N being attached fast and made immovable up or down on a standard, h, at one side of the main frame, while the rod N is pivoted at i to a similar standard, j, on the opposite side of said frame. The outer end of the pivoted rod attaches to a link, It, and is connected by this link to a vertically vibrating pivoted spring-arm, Z Z, as shown, said arm having its fulcrum on the standardj.

O is a lever pivoted to the frame A at m, and connected with the inner end of the spring rocking arm I, as shown.

P is a cam or projection on the propellingaxle for elevating the loose or rear end of the lever O at intervals.

With this arrangement it will be evident that if the bundler becomes charged with a load the projection P on the axle will elevate the end of the lever O, and thereby depress the inner end of the rocking arm, elevate the outer end of the same, and thereby, through the connecting-link 7a, elevate the outer end of the bundling-rod N, and consequently depress its inner end and efl'ect the discharge of the bundle; and as soon as this is accomplished said rod will be readjusted to its original position by the spring l acting upon the outer end of the rocking arm 1.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination and arrangement, in the manner herein specified, of the adjustable front supporting-wheel, I) G, obliquely-set slotted guide-plate D c, and adj listing-lever F, as set forth.

2. Arranging the reel H and the gearing which drives it on a jointed frame, I J, which is pir oted to the main frameAand connected day of May, 1853.

THOMAS BERRY. Witnesses:

G. YORKE ATLEE, EDM. F. BROWN. 

